Naturalization and Citizenship
Persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are U.S. citizens at birth. Persons born in certain territories of the United States may also be U.S. citizens at birth. Persons born outside of the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship through different ways.
Persons born outside of the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire or derive U.S. citizenship at birth if certain requirements are met at the time of the person’s birth. Persons born outside of the United States who are not U.S. citizens at birth may acquire automatic citizenship after birth under INA § 320 through their U.S. citizen parents when all conditions have been fulfilled on or after February 27, 2001.
Application Process for Certificate of Citizenship
Persons born abroad who acquire U.S. citizenship at birth or automatically obtain U.S. citizenship after birth are not required to file a Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. A person who seeks documentation of such status, however, must apply to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS. If the application is for a child, the child’s U.S. citizen parent or legal guardian must submit the application. USCIS will then issue proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a Certificate of Citizenship if the Form N-600 is approved and the person takes the Oath of Allegiance if required. Although a valid U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of the person’s U.S. citizenship during its validity period, the person may be required to submit the Certificate of Citizenship when applying for certain other benefits.
Application Process for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
Persons born outside of the United States who did not acquire citizenship either at the time of birth or after birth and who regularly reside outside the United States with a U.S. citizen parent are eligible for naturalization if all conditions have been met under INA § 322. In order for the child to become a U.S. citizen and obtain a Certificate of Citizenship, the U.S. citizen parent of a biological, legitimate, or adopted child may file a Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate with USCIS. If the U.S. citizen parent has died, the child's U.S. citizen grandparent or U.S. citizen legal guardian may submit the application, provided the application is filed not more than five years after the death of the U.S. citizen parent.
Generally, an applicant must appear in person for an interview before a USCIS officer after filing Form N-600K. USCIS, however, waives the interview requirement if the documentation in USCIS records or submitted along with the application establishes the applicant's eligibility for citizenship. Upon approval of Form N-600K, USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance before issuing a Certificate of Citizenship. However, the INA permits USCIS to waive the taking of the Oath of Allegiance if USCIS determines the person cannot understand its meaning.
Application Process for Naturalization
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign-born individual voluntarily becomes a United States citizen after meeting the INA requirements. In most cases, a person may only be naturalized after being lawfully admitted to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
An LPR may apply for naturalization by filing form N-400, Application for Naturalization, if certain eligibility requirements are met. Once all the preliminary processes are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with the applicant to complete the naturalization process. During the naturalization interview, the USCIS officer will also administer a naturalization test consisting of two components: an English and a civics test. Certain applicants, because of their age and time as an LPR, may qualify for an exemption from the English test and may take the civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter. Applicants who cannot meet the English and civics requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment may seek an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization by filing a Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, with USCIS.
If USCIS approves Form N-400, the applicant must attend a naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States before USCIS issues a Certificate of Naturalization. USCIS may, however, modify or waive the taking of the Oath of Allegiance if certain circumstances exist.
Naturalized U.S. citizens share equally in U.S. citizenship's rights, privileges, and responsibilities. The duty of U.S. citizens encompasses a wide range of responsibilities that are integral to the functioning of a democratic society. U.S. Citizenship offers legal recognition and a sense of belonging, identity, and the opportunity to contribute to the nation's social, economic, and political life.
Immigration law is complex, and naturalization and citizenship provisions are no exception, making it challenging for applicants to navigate all its intricacies on their own. Seeking legal representation from an experienced immigration attorney provides invaluable assistance in screening for potential issues, assessing eligibility, preparing documentation, advocating for individuals’ interests, and giving peace of mind and assurance.
To learn more about how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the citizenship or naturalization process, book your consultation now.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are U.S. citizens at birth. Persons born in certain territories of the United States may also be U.S. citizens at birth. Persons born outside of the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship through different ways.
Persons born outside of the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire or derive U.S. citizenship at birth if certain requirements are met at the time of the person’s birth. Persons born outside of the United States who are not U.S. citizens at birth may acquire automatic citizenship after birth under INA § 320 through their U.S. citizen parents when all conditions have been fulfilled on or after February 27, 2001.
Application Process for Certificate of Citizenship
Persons born abroad who acquire U.S. citizenship at birth or automatically obtain U.S. citizenship after birth are not required to file a Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. A person who seeks documentation of such status, however, must apply to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS. If the application is for a child, the child’s U.S. citizen parent or legal guardian must submit the application. USCIS will then issue proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a Certificate of Citizenship if the Form N-600 is approved and the person takes the Oath of Allegiance if required. Although a valid U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of the person’s U.S. citizenship during its validity period, the person may be required to submit the Certificate of Citizenship when applying for certain other benefits.
Application Process for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
Persons born outside of the United States who did not acquire citizenship either at the time of birth or after birth and who regularly reside outside the United States with a U.S. citizen parent are eligible for naturalization if all conditions have been met under INA § 322. In order for the child to become a U.S. citizen and obtain a Certificate of Citizenship, the U.S. citizen parent of a biological, legitimate, or adopted child may file a Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate with USCIS. If the U.S. citizen parent has died, the child's U.S. citizen grandparent or U.S. citizen legal guardian may submit the application, provided the application is filed not more than five years after the death of the U.S. citizen parent.
Generally, an applicant must appear in person for an interview before a USCIS officer after filing Form N-600K. USCIS, however, waives the interview requirement if the documentation in USCIS records or submitted along with the application establishes the applicant's eligibility for citizenship. Upon approval of Form N-600K, USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance before issuing a Certificate of Citizenship. However, the INA permits USCIS to waive the taking of the Oath of Allegiance if USCIS determines the person cannot understand its meaning.
Application Process for Naturalization
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign-born individual voluntarily becomes a United States citizen after meeting the INA requirements. In most cases, a person may only be naturalized after being lawfully admitted to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
An LPR may apply for naturalization by filing form N-400, Application for Naturalization, if certain eligibility requirements are met. Once all the preliminary processes are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with the applicant to complete the naturalization process. During the naturalization interview, the USCIS officer will also administer a naturalization test consisting of two components: an English and a civics test. Certain applicants, because of their age and time as an LPR, may qualify for an exemption from the English test and may take the civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter. Applicants who cannot meet the English and civics requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment may seek an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization by filing a Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, with USCIS.
If USCIS approves Form N-400, the applicant must attend a naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States before USCIS issues a Certificate of Naturalization. USCIS may, however, modify or waive the taking of the Oath of Allegiance if certain circumstances exist.
Naturalized U.S. citizens share equally in U.S. citizenship's rights, privileges, and responsibilities. The duty of U.S. citizens encompasses a wide range of responsibilities that are integral to the functioning of a democratic society. U.S. Citizenship offers legal recognition and a sense of belonging, identity, and the opportunity to contribute to the nation's social, economic, and political life.
Immigration law is complex, and naturalization and citizenship provisions are no exception, making it challenging for applicants to navigate all its intricacies on their own. Seeking legal representation from an experienced immigration attorney provides invaluable assistance in screening for potential issues, assessing eligibility, preparing documentation, advocating for individuals’ interests, and giving peace of mind and assurance.
To learn more about how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the citizenship or naturalization process, book your consultation now.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are U.S. citizens at birth. Persons born in certain territories of the United States may also be U.S. citizens at birth. Persons born outside of the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship through different ways.
Persons born outside of the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire or derive U.S. citizenship at birth if certain requirements are met at the time of the person’s birth. Persons born outside of the United States who are not U.S. citizens at birth may acquire automatic citizenship after birth under INA § 320 through their U.S. citizen parents when all conditions have been fulfilled on or after February 27, 2001.
Application Process for Certificate of Citizenship
Persons born abroad who acquire U.S. citizenship at birth or automatically obtain U.S. citizenship after birth are not required to file a Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. A person who seeks documentation of such status, however, must apply to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS. If the application is for a child, the child’s U.S. citizen parent or legal guardian must submit the application. USCIS will then issue proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a Certificate of Citizenship if the Form N-600 is approved and the person takes the Oath of Allegiance if required. Although a valid U.S. passport generally serves as evidence of the person’s U.S. citizenship during its validity period, the person may be required to submit the Certificate of Citizenship when applying for certain other benefits.
Application Process for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
Persons born outside of the United States who did not acquire citizenship either at the time of birth or after birth and who regularly reside outside the United States with a U.S. citizen parent are eligible for naturalization if all conditions have been met under INA § 322. In order for the child to become a U.S. citizen and obtain a Certificate of Citizenship, the U.S. citizen parent of a biological, legitimate, or adopted child may file a Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate with USCIS. If the U.S. citizen parent has died, the child's U.S. citizen grandparent or U.S. citizen legal guardian may submit the application, provided the application is filed not more than five years after the death of the U.S. citizen parent.
Generally, an applicant must appear in person for an interview before a USCIS officer after filing Form N-600K. USCIS, however, waives the interview requirement if the documentation in USCIS records or submitted along with the application establishes the applicant's eligibility for citizenship. Upon approval of Form N-600K, USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance before issuing a Certificate of Citizenship. However, the INA permits USCIS to waive the taking of the Oath of Allegiance if USCIS determines the person cannot understand its meaning.
Application Process for Naturalization
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign-born individual voluntarily becomes a United States citizen after meeting the INA requirements. In most cases, a person may only be naturalized after being lawfully admitted to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
An LPR may apply for naturalization by filing form N-400, Application for Naturalization, if certain eligibility requirements are met. Once all the preliminary processes are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with the applicant to complete the naturalization process. During the naturalization interview, the USCIS officer will also administer a naturalization test consisting of two components: an English and a civics test. Certain applicants, because of their age and time as an LPR, may qualify for an exemption from the English test and may take the civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter. Applicants who cannot meet the English and civics requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment may seek an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization by filing a Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, with USCIS.
If USCIS approves Form N-400, the applicant must attend a naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States before USCIS issues a Certificate of Naturalization. USCIS may, however, modify or waive the taking of the Oath of Allegiance if certain circumstances exist.
Naturalized U.S. citizens share equally in U.S. citizenship's rights, privileges, and responsibilities. The duty of U.S. citizens encompasses a wide range of responsibilities that are integral to the functioning of a democratic society. U.S. Citizenship offers legal recognition and a sense of belonging, identity, and the opportunity to contribute to the nation's social, economic, and political life.
Immigration law is complex, and naturalization and citizenship provisions are no exception, making it challenging for applicants to navigate all its intricacies on their own. Seeking legal representation from an experienced immigration attorney provides invaluable assistance in screening for potential issues, assessing eligibility, preparing documentation, advocating for individuals’ interests, and giving peace of mind and assurance.
To learn more about how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the citizenship or naturalization process, book your consultation now.
A person born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth. Persons born in certain territories of the United States may also be citizens at birth. A child of a U.S. citizen parent(s) born outside of the United States may acquire citizenship at birth if the U.S. citizen parent meets certain residence or physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession before the person’s birth and the person meets all other applicable requirements at the time of birth.
Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship at Birth
01
02
A person born outside of the United States acquires automatic citizenship after birth if the person is a child under 18 years of age, of a U.S. citizen parent, and is an LPR, residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, provided that all of these conditions have been met on or after February 27, 2001.
Automatic Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship after Birth
A person born outside of the United States who did not automatically acquire citizenship is eligible for naturalization if the person is a child under 18 years of age, of a U.S. citizen parent, and is residing outside of the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, or of a person who does not object to the application if the U.S. citizen parent is deceased. The U.S. citizen parent or grandparent must also meet certain physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession. In addition, the child must lawfully be admitted, physically present, and maintain lawful status in the United States at the time of the application approval and naturalization unless qualified for an exception.
Naturalization for Children Residing Outside the US
03
To be eligible for naturalization based on being an LPR, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age and a person of good moral character. They must demonstrate continuous residence for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen, and have physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years, or if married to a U.S. citizen, for at least 18 months out of the three years immediately before the date of filing Form N-400 unless they qualify for an exception. Applicants must also demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, they must pass the English and civics test unless they qualify for an exemption. Applicants must generally live in the USCIS district or State where they are applying for at least three months before applying.
Naturalization for Lawful Permanent Residents
04
A person born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth. Persons born in certain territories of the United States may also be citizens at birth. A child of a U.S. citizen parent(s) born outside of the United States may acquire citizenship at birth if the U.S. citizen parent meets certain residence or physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession before the person’s birth and the person meets all other applicable requirements at the time of birth.
Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship at Birth
01
02
A person born outside of the United States acquires automatic citizenship after birth if the person is a child under 18 years of age, of a U.S. citizen parent, and is an LPR, residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, provided that all of these conditions have been met on or after February 27, 2001.
Automatic Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship after Birth
A person born outside of the United States who did not automatically acquire citizenship is eligible for naturalization if the person is a child under 18 years of age, of a U.S. citizen parent, and is residing outside of the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, or of a person who does not object to the application if the U.S. citizen parent is deceased. The U.S. citizen parent or grandparent must also meet certain physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession. In addition, the child must lawfully be admitted, physically present, and maintain lawful status in the United States at the time of the application approval and naturalization unless qualified for an exception.
Naturalization for Children Residing Outside the US
03
To be eligible for naturalization based on being an LPR, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age and a person of good moral character. They must demonstrate continuous residence for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen, and have physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years, or if married to a U.S. citizen, for at least 18 months out of the three years immediately before the date of filing Form N-400 unless they qualify for an exception. Applicants must also demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, they must pass the English and civics test unless they qualify for an exemption. Applicants must generally live in the USCIS district or State where they are applying for at least three months before applying.
Naturalization for Lawful Permanent Residents
04
01
A person born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth. Persons born in certain territories of the United States may also be citizens at birth. A child of a U.S. citizen parent(s) born outside of the United States may acquire citizenship at birth if the U.S. citizen parent meets certain residence or physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession before the person’s birth and the person meets all other applicable requirements at the time of birth.
02
A person born outside of the United States acquires automatic citizenship after birth if the person is a child under 18 years of age, of a U.S. citizen parent, and is an LPR, residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, provided that all of these conditions have been met on or after February 27, 2001.
03
A person born outside of the United States who did not automatically acquire citizenship is eligible for naturalization if the person is a child under 18 years of age, of a U.S. citizen parent, and is residing outside of the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, or of a person who does not object to the application if the U.S. citizen parent is deceased. The U.S. citizen parent or grandparent must also meet certain physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession. In addition, the child must lawfully be admitted, physically present, and maintain lawful status in the United States at the time of the application approval and naturalization unless qualified for an exception.
04
To be eligible for naturalization based on being an LPR, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age and a person of good moral character. They must demonstrate continuous residence for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen, and have physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years, or if married to a U.S. citizen, for at least 18 months out of the three years immediately before the date of filing Form N-400 unless they qualify for an exception. Applicants must also demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, they must pass the English and civics test unless they qualify for an exemption. Applicants must generally live in the USCIS district or State where they are applying for at least three months before applying.